THE people of Coventry today stood in silent tribute to the thousands who died in the terrorist atrocities in America which have shocked the world.

At the stroke of 11am, people in factories and offices stopped work, no sales were made in shops, court cases were halted and pubs delayed opening.

Announcements were made at stations, airports, on trains, in schools and in city centres across the UK as millions fell silent for three minutes.

In Coventry, the city centre came to a standstill as people, some in tears, united to reflect on the terrible loss of life.

At the fountain in Market Way, Lord Mayor Cllr Dave Chater led the tribute ceremony.

After an announcement on the public address system, the fountain stopped, and people stood with bowed heads in a sombre mood to observe the vigil.

Couples hugged in sadness while others stood on the city centre balcony in disbelief over the shocking events.

Shop staff poured out of their doors to join the hundreds of shoppers who came together to pay their respects.

Jenny Hurley, who works at The Body Shop, said: ?I have some friends out there at the moment. They are staying near the World Trade Centre. They flew out there on Saturday to celebrate their silver wedding, and were due back yesterday. I have been in touch with their children who say they are all right, although they don?t yet know when their coming back.?

The Body Shop manager Sharon Simpson added: ?It is nice to see so many people out there expressing their sympathy. It is very sickening what has happened, and something like this certainly makes you put things into perspective.?

At the end of the silence, Cllr Chater said: ?It is almost impossible for us to understand the scale of the tragedy in the United States.

?It has affected so many people all across the world, not only those who have lost family and friends, but all who value life, democracy and freedom.

?It has been Coventry people who have experienced so much in their time of tragedy over 50 years ago. It?s been so moving to see so many people come to express their sympathy to America over this particular incident.?

Nick Nolan, leader of the city council, said: ?It?s a wonderful turnout today and moments like this should make us particularly proud of our city and the people in it.??

At Coventry Cathedral, dozens of people stood in silence in the ruins and in the new cathedral.

Don Rogers, aged 72, and his wife Joyce, aged 73, of Arch Road, Wyken, had come to the cathedral to reflect on the tragedy.

Mr Rogers said: ?Coventry Cathedral is the focal point of the city and we wanted to come here during the three minutes silence.

?Two years ago we went to the World Trade Centre and we can?t comprehend what it must be like for people caught up in the tragedy.?

Rachel Shela, aged 49, from Jerusalem in Israel who is on a 10-day tour of England, said: ?I came to the cathedral because I wanted to be near other people.

?I feel very sad about has happened and I will be going to the service to pay my respects.?

Betty Keenan, aged 78, of Beaconsfield Road, Stoke, said: ?I feel terrible about what has happened and I wanted to come here today to pay my respects, my thoughts are with everyone in America.?

Val Bayliss-Stranks, aged 63, of South Avenue, Coventry, said: ?I didn?t want to be at home on my own and I can feel at peace here. I just want the American people to know how much we are feeling for them especially those who have lost loved ones.?

Gwyne Power, aged 65, of Leicester Causeway, Foleshill, Coventry, said: ?My heart goes out to people who have lost loved ones.

?I have come to the cathedral today because it is such a significant place of peace and reconciliation.?

Sikhs from the Ramgarhia Gurdwara temple in Foleshill Road, Coventry, said prayers at 8am and worshippers joined in the nationwide three minutes? silence at 11am.